Egypt
Islam's main religious authority (Al-Azhar), the Middle East's most important political power (Saudi Arabia), and the Arab world's most
populous country (Egypt) appear to be coming together as allies for a moderation of Islamic teaching.

Austria
A pair of neuro- psychologists see a 'strong need for more systematic studies on brain structural, functional and
cognitive changes due to hormonal contraceptive use.'

California
Opponents of Archbishop Cordileone have brought in an infamous PR expert to escalate the war over whether San Francisco’s Catholic schools
should actually be Catholic.

India
Forced surrogacy, trafficking of girls to produce children for sale, is the latest abuse to emerge from Jharkhand, widely considered a hotbed of modern-day slavery.

Syria
Aid to the Church in Need reports that IS murdered a number of Assyrian Christians it abducted. A local abbot said the number still being held totals 350.

Vatican City
The Vatican's spokesman tried to smooth over the Pope's private use of the phrase 'avoid Mexicanization' after protest by
the Mexican foreign minister.